The Chicago Bulls may already have their next superstar hiding in plain sight.

And after watching Matas Buzelis during his sophomore campaign, it’s becoming impossible to ignore the flashes of greatness that continue appearing almost every night.

The highlight plays are already there.

The explosive dunks.

The chase-down blocks.

The impossible weak-side defensive recoveries that make fans jump out of their seats.

At times, Buzelis looks less like a developing young forward and more like a future NBA star waiting to fully unlock his potential.

But despite all the excitement surrounding his growth, league analysts and Bulls fans understand one important truth:

Potential alone does not create superstardom.

And for Matas Buzelis to truly become the franchise-changing player Chicago desperately needs, the next stage of his evolution may depend on two specific areas that separate elite defenders from merely exciting athletes:

Defensive rebounding.

And perimeter closeouts.

Those details may not generate viral highlights every night, but they often determine whether a talented player becomes a true winning superstar.

Right now, Buzelis already possesses one of the rarest defensive instincts among young NBA forwards. His timing as a weak-side rim protector continues turning heads around the league. He rotates naturally, reads offensive actions quickly, and consistently uses his length and athleticism to erase shots that seem completely uncontestable.

That ability cannot be taught easily.

Some defenders react.

Great defenders anticipate.

Buzelis is beginning to show signs of becoming the second type.

And in today’s NBA — where versatile two-way wings are arguably the most valuable players in basketball — that skillset immediately raises his long-term ceiling.

But there’s another level he still hasn’t fully reached.

Because while highlight blocks energize crowds, elite defensive rebounding wins possessions.

Too often during the season, Buzelis showed flashes of dominance protecting the rim only for Chicago to lose the possession moments later because opponents secured offensive rebounds. Physical strength, positioning, and anticipation on the glass remain critical areas where his game can still grow significantly.

And if he develops consistency there, everything changes.

Suddenly, he becomes more than just an exciting shot blocker.

He becomes a complete defensive force capable of anchoring winning basketball.

The same applies to his perimeter closeouts — one of the most difficult skills for modern NBA defenders to master.

Today’s league forces defenders into impossible decisions constantly. Close out too aggressively, and elite shooters blow past you. Hesitate for one second, and the shot is already flying through the net.

Young players often struggle finding the balance.

Buzelis has shown moments of brilliance in those situations, but also moments where experience still exposes him. The good news for Chicago is that these are exactly the types of defensive details that usually improve with repetition, coaching, and physical maturity.

And that’s what makes Bulls fans so excited.

Because the raw tools already look terrifying.

At his size, with his mobility, instincts, and athleticism, Buzelis fits the blueprint of the modern NBA perfectly. Long, switchable forwards who can protect the rim, guard multiple positions, and eventually contribute offensively at a high level are among the league’s most valuable assets.

Those players don’t just help teams compete.

They become the foundation franchises build around.

Chicago desperately needs that type of cornerstone.

For years, the Bulls have searched for a true identity in the post-Michael Jordan era. While talented players have come and gone, the franchise has struggled to develop a young star capable of leading the organization back into long-term championship conversations.

Now many fans believe Matas Buzelis could become exactly that player.

And perhaps the most exciting part is how early he still is in his development.

Sophomore seasons often reveal whether young players possess genuine star potential or simply athletic flashes. In Buzelis’ case, the flashes already feel real. The defensive instincts, confidence, and impact moments continue appearing more consistently against elite competition.

Now the challenge becomes turning flashes into dominance.

That transformation is what separates promising young players from future All-Stars.

The NBA is filled with athletes.

It is filled with highlight plays.

But superstardom belongs to players who master the details nobody celebrates immediately.

Boxing out.

Rotations.

Closeouts.

Effort possessions.

Winning habits.

Those details determine careers.

And if Matas Buzelis fully develops those parts of his game, the Bulls may not simply have a good young player on their hands.

They may have found the future face of the franchise.

Now Chicago fans are beginning to ask one massive question about their rising young star:

Will Matas Buzelis become just another exciting athlete with highlights… or is the NBA watching the early stages of the next true Bulls superstar?